I have always wondered what leads to terrorist  behavior, why people chose to commit these acts, and if it is possible at all to avoid it?

I was looking for a way to correlate to something else, that is a bit more approachable so that we can understand. Then, it dawned on me that the terror leaders and recruiters are very successful psychologists. 

What is the difference between a normal psychologist and Osama Bin Laden?  Not much really!  It is the value that is different.  Both work with people to show them a new path.  The main stream one is trying to integrate one into the mainstream values while in the case of terrorist psychologist, they are integrating peope into their value system.

Both are able to deliver successful results.

So what is at clash here is the value system of these counsellors?  And as soon as we get into the value judgement, it becomes very complicated. 

I recently heard a lecture on TED.  It was fabulous in explaining the clash of the value system.  To paraphrase, the speaker said that we have two worlds around us.  “My World” and “Your World”.  MY WORLD is rational, logical, justified, and makes sense. YOUR WORLD is illogical, irrational, and does not make sense.

It is this conflict of two worlds that are at the root of this crisis.  It is also evident from the writings and communications from the terrorist psychologists.

They say they are fighting a war with evil. Of course, we say the same thing.  So who is right?  Both! From their point of view.

It is this value that these leaders of terror net are able to impart upon the people and convert them to commit violent acts.

And from that perspective, they have been quite successful.

Then it begs the question, what should be done?  We can call them as much crazy, misdirected as we want, it still does not change the fact that they believe their world is better.

One of my friend told me once, that crazy people behave in crazy way.  They are supposed to; that is the reason we call them crazy.  Hence, judging their activities does not provide any solution.  Better solution would be to convert them to see and think their activities are crazy.

And FOR THAT WE NEED BETTER PSYCHOLOGIST.  Better than them.

While all the pundits pontificate about their views from their mansions; they need to live in the culture and locality these leaders and followers are brought in to understand what could be a better solution. No single thing works here.

From my childhood, where I have seen all sorts of behavior.  To me it seems that the non-sanctioned behaviors are driven by several factors.  These are – ego, identity, education, poverty, culture, mental health, recognition, habits, and fear to say the least.

While it may be acceptable and right thing to do to kill those who have reached the no-point of return or those who are the leaders.  But that still does not solve the problem. In spite of all the punishments and killings, the terrism on an average has grown on year to year basis.

If we have to solve terrorism, first we have look at it as a mental disease.  Looking around, the major drivers of mental health are helplessness.  It can be changed through better law and order, priests openly preaching peace and harmony, creating better infrastructure for sustainable living, etc.

Terrorism not only is a public health issue with thousands committing crimes, it also creates further public health issue through physical and mental harms.

This is not to say that an inadequate public health system is the cause of it; however, it does mean that we have to redefine the meaning of public health.  And then create an environment, so that the opportunities for these behaviours are minimized.  All have a role in creating an effective health system – family, teachers, employers, governments, preachers, friends, etc.

While there is military actions taking place, we need to focus on the root cause.  We need to focus on creating that culutre that creates better mental health and better ability to judge right and wrong.